Downhole waterjet pipe and casing cutter launched

By
Jet Edge
16 May 2014

Editorial

Jet Edge pump 2,000 feet below surface in a mine.

A Minnesota-based waterjet service contractor to the oil, gas and mining industries has developed a unique downhole casing and pipe cutting system that can fit inside pipes as small as 51mm ID and cut multiple layers of grouted casing in a single pass with a 3800 bar abrasive waterjet.

Centura Oil’s CenJet 90 casing and pipe cutting system is operable in hazardous environments, and designed specifically for oil, gas and mining applications, including plug and abandon operations. Its cutting process does not exceed 60°C, minimising the chance of ignition.

Powered by a 55K PSI, 200hp Jet Edge waterjet intensifier pump, CenJet 90 features a modified Jet Edge Permalign abrasive jet cutting head that is coupled to coiled steel tubing or conventional threaded rods. The system, which is capable of cutting 406mm thick steel, is deployed into the pipe or casing and cuts from the inside. It can perform cuts up to 91m from the surface at any angle, horizontal, vertical and even overhead.

The CenJet 90 uses only 15 litres of water and 0.45kg of garnet abrasive per minute. Garnet is a natural stone that is normally disposed of in a landfill. The effluent created by the waterjet cutting process is circulated to the surface using formation water, treated water in strata prone to swelling, or nitrogen for an explosion-proof environment. The returns and cuttings are handled in accordance with industry standards.

Centura Oil originally developed the CenJet 90 as an environment-friendly downhole waterjet cutting system for stimulating oil and gas well production at depths of 1219m. It modified the system for casing and pipe cutting for a recently completed project at a uranium mine.

Centura Oil’s worldwide services include waterjet well recompletion and production enhancement, well plug and abandonment, and mobile waterjet cutting. The company also sells its CenJet 90 systems under a licensing agreement.

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